Like many of us Yanks, I recall Laurent in the context of following Greg's rising star. That was not terribly fair to Fignon, a fine racer in his own right, winning the Tour de France in 1983 and 1984, the Giro (1989) and seventy six professional races in all.

Fignon gave the Grim Reaper a good run for his money as well, but that is one race we all eventually lose. Bon voyage, Professor.